Educational Treatment of Diversity : Interuniversity Master’s Degree Programme

1. Dr.paed., prof. Irina Maslo, University of Latvia; E-mail: irina.maslo@lu.lvDr.paed., researcher Svetlana Surikova,University of Latvia; E-mail: svetlana.surikova@lu.lv Educational Treatment of Diversity: Interuniversity Master’s Degree Programme The programme offered by four universities Introduction Students about the programme Virtual & real learning environment • How does this programme differ from others? • New, modern international learning environment - the e-environment, which will make it possible to study both independently and communicate with others in common forums, chat rooms (cooperative learning), as well as learn from others' experience of diversity in pedagogy. • Opportunities to study via the Internet, thus enabling combining studieswith family, work, etc. For me as a new mother it is very important. • An opportunity to learn the Spanish language, and go to study in Spain, as it has been already successfully done bysome of our students etc. • What are the opportunities after studying? • Adapt our jobs to people with special needs, promote various projects - thus, actively apply our knowledge, skills, competence in carrying out our ideas, programmes, plans into practice. It is also possible to undertake doctoral studies, to gain further experience and new knowledge, and deepen the existing one etc. • Why such a programme is needed? • To explore the possibility of the necessary materials and information, not only because of our country, but also Europe as a whole, which is important nowadays etc. The fundamental aim of the Master’s programme is to offer postgraduate students a Joint University Master’s Degree in “Educational Treatment of Diversity”, offered by Universities from four countries (Spain, Latvia, Germany, Czech Republic). This Degree will reveal that they have been educated as specialized professionals to work in education for people with diverse special needs, and that they have been prepared to conduct research in different fields related to education of people with diverse needs, according to indicators defined by the Joint Quality Initiative (IQI) for Master’s Degrees, put forward by the Joint Quality Initiative meeting in Dublin (in March 23, 2004 and October 18, 2004) and formulated in the Recommendations of European Parliament and Council about European Quality Framework for lifelong learning. The competences of the Master’s graduate correspond to the requirements of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 7. The programme is internally integrated, divided into thematic modules, which cover a number of closely related study programmes. The programme is designed as an inter-disciplinary programme, integrating sub-branches of the general, social, psychological, pedagogical and special pedagogy in one unity. It focuses on students’ preparing for lifelong learning as an inclusive promotional pedagogical activity: from preschool to old age. As the programme is designed to be imparted at full time or part time interactive self-organised e-learning models there will not be obligatory regular face-to-face lectures for students’ to attend compulsory and regularly. To substitute the presence of regular lecturing, didactic material has been prepared with the necessary structure and reinforcement to be used by students in an independent way.Interactive e-learning environment provides the possibility of attracting students to the flexible study form, activating studies of ICT and providing an opportunity to study for students who are having young children, for working students, etc., including people with diverse special needs. Objectives • To attain the aimof the programme, the universities involved cooperating with students, professors, tutors and other staff, have specific academic, pedagogical and research objectives: • In the pedagogicalfield: to prepare educators and other professionals who will work actively in the sphere of educational treatment of diversity, promoting the knowledge obtained during the study process. • In the academicfield: to provide the opportunity to obtain the master degree at the university, where the student has registered, and in other participating universities according to the signed inter-university agreement. • In the researchfield: to promote appropriate research work in the educational treatment of diversity, improvement of theory and practice in order to find out different solutions to real situations in the treatment of diversity, in order to compare the most effective ways how to work in this area and to put forward the alternatives. More information » About the study programme for degree and transfer students http://www.lu.lv/eng/istudents/degree/study/autumn-2011-academic-year-20112012/master-educational/ » About the study programme (on the UNED website) http://www.uned.es/masteretd/ » License and accreditation (on the HEQEC website) http://www.aiknc.lv/en/prog_view.php?id=5951 » More information in English and Latvian on the website of the Institute of Pedagogical Sciences of the University of Latvia http://www.pzi.lu.lv/index.php?id=pzistudijas_inc3